Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his visit to the United States on the 25th. The United States and China released the results of their meetings respectively, which both touched on issues such as trade, artificial intelligence, and drug control. They agreed to establish a strategic and stable relationship based on respect, fairness, and reciprocity, but Taiwan was not mentioned.
However, the outside world generally believes that US President Trump received Xi Jinping with high standards, but the talks did not achieve breakthroughs or achieved much actual results.
It is expected that the heads of state of China and the United States will meet twice more this year, namely at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Shenzhen in November and the G20 summit in Miami in December.
BBC Chinese sorted out what achievements the two countries had shown and how the outside world interpreted their actions.
How do the two countries define bilateral relations?
China released a consensus on eight outcomes on the 26th, and the White House released a list of facts late at night on the 25th local time. Both documents involve issues such as economy and trade, artificial intelligence, and drug control, as well as diplomatic issues such as the positioning of bilateral relations and the situation in Iran.
Both parties stated that they agreed to establish a strategic and stable relationship based on respect, fairness and reciprocity, and supported each other in hosting APEC and G20 summits. Both heads of state intend to attend meetings hosted by the other party, and it is expected that there will be two more meetings this year.
On the Iran issue, the two countries agreed that Iran should fulfill its commitment not to develop nuclear weapons and that no country or institution should impose tolls on international waterways.
The two documents also mentioned that the two heads of state reviewed the history of "China and the United States being allies in World War II" and "fighting side by side to win the war." Although Japan was not named, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who accompanied Xi Jinping on his visit to the United States, said when describing the trip that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials of World War II. China and the United States are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. It is the joint responsibility of both sides to maintain the post-war international order and prevent the resurgence of militarism.
The Taiwan issue showed a subtle gap in that it was mentioned in the meeting but omitted in the document. During the meeting, Xi Jinping stressed that he hoped that the United States would adhere to its correct stance of opposing "Taiwan independence" and handle the Taiwan issue prudently. The official position of the United States has always been that it "does not support" Taiwan independence. The list of outcomes after the meeting did not mention Taiwan, and Trump later said only that he "didn't spend much time discussing Taiwan. He (Xi Jinping) knew my thoughts very well."
The White House list also mentioned that the two men also talked about Russia and North Korea.
"Form is greater than content"
Daniel Russel, a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and a researcher at the Asia Society Policy Institute in charge of East Asia and Pacific affairs, bluntly said that the summit was disappointing and there was a clear imbalance between pomp and substance. He described this summit as "diplotainment."
However, Russell analyzed that Beijing did not mind because the courtesy shown by Trump demonstrated China's status and Xi Jinping's prestige.
In his view, the two countries have shown their willingness to avoid the bottom of bilateral relations. However, the two countries are still locked in fierce competition on issues such as trade, technology, Taiwan, national defense, rare earths and industrial policy, and "there are risks in covering up the real problems." He is concerned about whether various agreements can be truly implemented, such as reducing tariffs, purchasing agricultural products, and increasing rare earth exports, because "announcements at the summit often cannot accurately predict subsequent actual results."
Michael Froman, chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, a US think tank, wrote in an article that Xi Jinping's state visit was "form greater than content": the two sides extended the tariff truce, but China's production capacity issues were postponed, and no major progress was made on issues such as Taiwan, Iran, and Russia.
He analyzed that both Xi Jinping and Trump are quite satisfied with the status quo, and they tend to regard Sino-US relations as a problem that "needs to be managed" rather than "resolved". Both sides emphasize stability, friendship and avoiding conflicts, reflecting that both countries are currently more concerned with controlling competitive risks than seeking major breakthroughs.
Josh Lipsky, vice president of the Atlantic Council, believes that the summit is an image victory of broader significance for Beijing. As countries gather in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, Washington portrays the United States and China as nearly equal opponents, a "G2" structure rather than a "G7" or "G20" framework. In his view, this is tantamount to the United States pushing away its most valuable asset, its allies, and instead choosing to be on an equal footing with China.
Tariff truce extended for two months: Timing considerations
In terms of economy and trade, before the formal meeting between the two sides, the US Treasury Secretary has announced that the United States will extend the truce period in the trade war until January next year.
During the meeting, the two countries recognized the Sino-US economic and trade consultation mechanism and the consultation results of the economic and trade teams of both sides. The White House fact sheet specifically pointed out that the U.S.-China Trade Commission and the U.S.-China Investment Commission established at the summit in May this year were officially put into operation, and the two sides reached a consensus on granting more preferential tariffs on "non-sensitive goods" worth US$30 billion each. The U.S. side covers exports of agricultural products, fish and seafood, wood products, cosmetics and medical equipment, while products imported from the U.S. include small household appliances, toys and other consumer goods.
China has also pledged to import at least 10 million tons of coal from the United States each year in 2027 and 2028; the two sides will also work to solve supply chain shortages of rare earths and other key minerals.
This trade truce agreement originated from the meeting between the two heads of state in Busan, South Korea last year and was originally scheduled to expire in November this year.
Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute and former trade negotiator, analyzed that the truce was only extended for two months, which is far shorter than the time China seeks, but it just allows the two sides to avoid the next two possible summits this year.
She pointed out that from the perspective of the United States, a shorter deadline may provide Washington with the necessary leverage to force China to fulfill its commitments in the truce agreement, especially in the fields of critical minerals and magnets. However, as long as Beijing still dominates key mineral industries, the United States' ability to exert pressure on China will be quite limited, so the two sides are expected to continue to test each other by introducing new punitive economic measures.
Cutler said there are two developments worthy of attention at present: whether the two sides have indicated that they will continue to implement tariff reduction measures and expand them to more products; and whether the Trade Commission is authorized to deal with other matters including non-tariff barriers. She also reminded that there is obviously insufficient public discussion on China's overcapacity and surge in exports.
Artificial Intelligence: Agree to dialogue, no plan
One of the important topics at this summit is whether there is room for cooperation between the United States and China on artificial intelligence security issues.
The two countries agreed to establish a Sino-US artificial intelligence dialogue mechanism to exchange relevant risks and benefits. The next dialogue is scheduled for November, and the two sides will establish communication channels for artificial intelligence incidents.
The United States specifically mentioned that the leaders of the two countries agreed to replace the term "artificial intelligence" with "super intelligence." However, the Chinese document does not use the term "super intelligence". The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 26th that regarding artificial intelligence, "China attaches great importance to the US position and respects the US formulation."
